Russian air strikes back Syrian southern offensive. US to Southern Front rebels: You’re on your own

After the breakdown of Russian-Israel talks, the Russian Air Force on Saturday night, June 23, bombed Syrian rebel targets in support of Assad’s southwest offensive. This was contrary to Russian promises to Israel. The Russian bombers taking off from the Hmeimim air base in Latakia, launched 25-30 sorties over the small town of Busr al-Harir in Daraa province bordering on Jordan, one of the locations which fell to the Syrian army last week. In their talks with Israel, the Russians said that while giving Assad the nod to go for Daraa and Quneitra opposite Israel’s Golan border, they would withhold air support. Their bombardment also ignored stern American warnings: Last week, the State Department warned Assad and his Russian allies of “serious repercussions” for violating the de-escalations arrangement reached last year between Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. Then, on Saturday, US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley condemned the Syria attack on the southern Syrian borders with Israel and Jordan as “unambiguously violating” that arrangement. “Russia will ultimately bear responsibility for any for escalations in Syria,” Haley said.

At the same time, on Sunday, social media reported that the US through its embassy in Amman had sent this message to all Southern Front (rebel) leaders: Make your own decision, but “you should not base your decision on the assumption or expectation of military intervention by us.” There is no official confirmation from Washington of this message. DEBKAfile: If the Trump administration has indeed backed away from supporting the southern front rebel leaders against Syrian army, Russian-backed attack, this may be interpreted as signifying President Donald Trump’s decision not to allow the contest over southwest Syria and Jordanian and Israel borderlands stand in the way of an early summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Israel would then be left to cope on its own with fending off the drive of the Syrian army and its allies, Hizballah and the pro-Iranian Shiite forces, up to its borders. In this eventuality, the IDF has two options:

  1. Non-intervention like the US and acceptance of a Syrian military presence along its northern border.
  2. Intervention by air and ground-to-ground missile strikes against Syrian military and allied targets to halt their advance. There is no sign of the Israeli government or military chiefs gearing up for such an operation.

But meanwhile, a Syrian refugee problem is building up on its Golan border. Some 12,000 refugees are reported to have fled their homes since the Syrian army captured small towns and villages in the Daraa province. Thousands are gathering on the Israeli border and setting up tents.

 

 

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68 thoughts on “Russian air strikes back Syrian southern offensive. US to Southern Front rebels: You’re on your own

  • Jun 24, 2018 @ 9:41 at 9:41
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    Trust the Americanos..??????
    Watch your back Israel…

    • Jun 24, 2018 @ 11:35 at 11:35
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      “Trust the Americanos..??????
      Watch your back Israel…”

      @Anonymous,

      Don’t worry————Obama is no longer in the White House and Herman Munster is no longer Secretary of State.

    • Jun 24, 2018 @ 14:15 at 14:15
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      He moved the embassy to Jerusalem. What more do you want? Should’ve given Jared that loan.

    • Jun 24, 2018 @ 20:47 at 20:47
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      Trump is a coward who only has allegiance to himself. As he has shown multiple times, he will drop anyone like a sack of potatoes once they are of no use to him. And that includes America itself who he will sell to anyone who will buy him. A true kleptocrat in every sense of the word.

      • Jun 26, 2018 @ 10:21 at 10:21
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        toi t un veritable expert…. ou alors tu n’as rien mais alors rien compris aux mouvements geopolitique..
        allez retourne travailler ton sujet au lieu de sortir des syntheses toutes pretes faites par d’autres !

    • Jun 24, 2018 @ 21:24 at 21:24
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      Trump is Putin’s BI*T*CH. His loyalty isn’t to America or its allies.

      • Jun 25, 2018 @ 8:35 at 8:35
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        Enjoy hell

  • Jun 24, 2018 @ 9:45 at 9:45
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    Dont worry israel God has your back!!

  • Jun 24, 2018 @ 9:59 at 9:59
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    רק בוטח בהשם

  • Jun 24, 2018 @ 10:11 at 10:11
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    Israel could break out to mercilwessly decimate Iraqi & Iranian Shiaa mercenaries
    Trump will lose face if he drops his guard

  • Jun 24, 2018 @ 10:13 at 10:13
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    Israel could be proactive in really supporting Kurds

  • Jun 24, 2018 @ 10:22 at 10:22
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    SAA should clear off jihadists from within its borders and ensure territorial integrity of Syria. It is interesting and bewildering that clearing these jihadists within Syria is a threat to Israel.

    • Jun 24, 2018 @ 11:51 at 11:51
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      “SAA should clear off jihadists from within its borders and ensure territorial integrity of Syria. It is interesting and bewildering that clearing these jihadists within Syria is a threat to Israel.”

      @desty,

      If you had been following Debka closely for the past several months, you would have been updated to the fact that Iran, Hezbollah and Shiite mercenaries are now incorporated into what remains of the Syrian army——-and its those elements which are now approaching the Israeli border.

      Likely, you live so far away from all of this that if those hostile forces, once established in that border region, were next to attempt to invade Northern Israel, it would have no impact on you other than idle curiosity and a denial of how wrong you were———at someone else’s expense (typical liberal thinking———-but that’s to be expected).

      • Jun 24, 2018 @ 15:07 at 15:07
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        Don’t you worry…Israel is preparing a nasty surprise for those pedophile and camel rapers Iranians, and they gonna regret it. Hashem is the Supreme Commander, not a sexual pervert raghead.

  • Jun 24, 2018 @ 10:54 at 10:54
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    There is no such thing as Syrian national army. Only Hezbollah and mercenaries of Revolutionary Guards. Syrian Army dissolved around 2012.
    Also syrian state is a colonial creation of GB and France in 1923 and has no national distinction and cohesion.

  • Jun 24, 2018 @ 11:17 at 11:17
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    I have a feeling the “summit” is all bullshit. That Russia is not genuine. Its just being used as an excuse for their friends to ensconce themselves on Israel’s border ready to cause trouble without intervention by the US or Israel. It is “big mistake” time. When this goes – its going to be massive.

  • Jun 24, 2018 @ 11:17 at 11:17
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    Syrian Jihadi better than Assad and his murderers.

  • Jun 24, 2018 @ 11:50 at 11:50
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    nothing is a free card,,, we ditch the rebels , means very soon russia is going to be ditching someone

    • Jun 24, 2018 @ 12:19 at 12:19
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      “nothing is a free card,,, we ditch the rebels , means very soon russia is going to be ditching someone”

      Well, it can’t be the Assad regime due to Russian air and naval bases in Syrian territory so who would they be ditching?
      Iran maybe, but wait———–Iran is a good customer for their military hardware, so it’s not likely to be them (unless something changes).
      Hezbollah or Iran’s other proxy Shiite allies in Syria————Maybe, but they’re too close to the Iranians and the Russians likely want to avoid upsetting them if possible.
      Which leaves Israel———–would the Russians ditch their conditional friendship with Israel————–maybe, just to show the United States that they’re not to be messed with, so————-stay tuned!

  • Jun 24, 2018 @ 12:04 at 12:04
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    From the Debka article:

    “After the breakdown of Russian-Israel talks, the Russian Air Force on Saturday night, June 23, bombed Syrian rebel targets in support of Assad’s southwest offensive. This was contrary to Russian promises to Israel.”

    Debka means to say that the Soviets (oops———I meant the Russians) would break any of their promises and understandings with other countries ???????—————-who would have even guessed that they would do a thing like that!

  • Jun 24, 2018 @ 12:09 at 12:09
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    Who cares ? Intervention ? Though words only.Trump / Putin both can’t be trust.Saying one thing and doing nothing / or just the opposite. Time wil tell.

    • Jun 24, 2018 @ 12:26 at 12:26
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      “—————– Intervention ? Though words only.Trump / Putin both can’t be trust.Saying one thing and doing nothing / or just the opposite.——————”

      That sounds like the Obama Administration!

    • Jun 24, 2018 @ 15:15 at 15:15
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      Dwarf criminal Putin and a brainless incestuous Orange Wig cannot be reliable: both pursue their own interests in detriment of others. Remember Kissinger: ” The US has not permanent friends or enemies, only interests”…so, trusting in such idiots is like sending your teen daughter for an interview with Harvey Weinstein.

  • Jun 24, 2018 @ 12:14 at 12:14
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    let me know when you supermens have finished choking on your candyfloss.

    • Jun 24, 2018 @ 12:31 at 12:31
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      “let me know when you supermens have finished choking on your candyfloss.”

      @MR_JeSuS,

      Let me know when you have a post which actually makes some sense and is relevant to the topic being discussed.

      • Jun 24, 2018 @ 13:06 at 13:06
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        Saudis need to arm the remaining rebels with high tech weapons capable of downing Russian planes and protecting the rebels from Russian missiles. Russian planes are more expensive than Syria can ever repay.

        • Jun 24, 2018 @ 14:26 at 14:26
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          That is why I have been saying for a very long time that the only way to prevent another Iranian victory in Syria is to arm the rebels with MANPADS. Remember that once the Obama nuclear deal released billions to Iran, Iran went to the Russians and got air help in late 2015 which turned the war in Syria in Iran’s favor ever since. At that point, MAPADS should have been provided to help the Syrian opposition to counter this, but instead they were deprived of more and more support and weapons by their so called friends. When a big attack was mounted against the rebels in Aleppo, there were pleads made to the American anti-ISIS coalition to just destroy the Ithriya-Khanaser road that connected Assad to Aleppo. It was that simple to do something but the U.S. did nothing. The Russian/Iranian support the Alawites that never amounted to 10% of the Syrian population and the U.S./European support the Kurds that never amounted to 10% of the Syrian population. Meanwhile, those who made up 75% of Syria’s population as Sunnis get no help or support and are displaced and exiled.

          • Jun 24, 2018 @ 17:17 at 17:17
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            Yeah – lets give lots of MANPADS to Islamic terrorists. What could possibly go wrong?

        • Jun 25, 2018 @ 10:54 at 10:54
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          “Saudis need to arm the remaining rebels with high tech weapons capable of downing Russian planes and protecting the rebels from Russian missiles. Russian planes are more expensive than Syria can ever repay.”

          @Anonymous,

          In view of all of the conditions on the ground within Syria, just how would the Saudis get those high tech weapons to the rebels?—————-only way may be through Israel but remember, we’re talking about the Saudis (who are members of the Arab League).

  • Jun 24, 2018 @ 13:19 at 13:19
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    During his campaign Trump repeatedly pledged to get out of the USA sponsored wars in the middle east. He said recently that he wants to get troops out of Syria. Escalating the war is the exact opposite and showed the hawks and military industrial complex in the US in charge. Maybe Trump is ready to push back and keep his pledge. He also seems to want to keep his promise to make friends with Putin. The western hegemony of a Russian bogeyman is pathetic and patently untrue but keeps the arms sales rolling in. If only the world spent the arms money on equality and meritocracy we would be living on a completely different planet.

    • Jun 25, 2018 @ 11:07 at 11:07
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      “The western hegemony of a Russian bogeyman is pathetic and patently untrue but keeps the arms sales rolling in. If only the world spent the arms money on equality and meritocracy we would be living on a completely different planet.”

      @Rob,

      Yes——–we would all be living under a hammer and a sickle or something else even worse than that!
      Must be past time for a reality check, Rob!

  • Jun 24, 2018 @ 13:44 at 13:44
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    today:
    US to Southern Front rebels: You’re on your own

    tomorrow:
    US to Israel Front of Golan : You’re on your own

    • Jun 25, 2018 @ 11:17 at 11:17
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      “today:
      US to Southern Front rebels: You’re on your own

      tomorrow:
      US to Israel Front of Golan : You’re on your own”

      @ “Abbas President of Palestine”,

      the next day:
      Israel to Russia: Sorry for the loss of all of your friends in South Western Syria (the Syrian army, Iranian “advisers”, Hezbollah from Lebanon and Shiite mercenaries from Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan).

  • Jun 24, 2018 @ 14:03 at 14:03
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    As an Iranian, it is my religious duty to tell you the truth even though it may hurt all unbelievers. The Russians in Syria are currently in Iran’s pocket because Iran is paying for them and their arms billions in order to be in Syria. It is that simple that your imbecile Bibi does not understand this fact. What can Bibi offer the Russians but talk while the Iranians offer them money. Israel is weak because it cannot afford to pay for buying its own arms and depends on U.S. charity to buy U.S. arms so it is dependent on U.S. arms that the U.S. pays for. Thus, it cannot afford to buy Russian arms like Iran can. You should know about the power of money Bibi of all people. Also, the U.S. has stupidly and continues to stupidly help Iran Iran by focusing its fight in Syria only against ISIS which has helped Iran and allies not have to fight ISIS very much at all. Since when has ISIS killed more Americans than the Shiite militias controlled by Iran in Iraq? Now, the true colors of the U.S. cowards have appeared in not helping Jordan, Israel and the rebels in southwest Syria. We Iranians and allies are going to swallow each and everyone of you divided fools one by one there since the U.S. has said that there will be no help in coming from them. Since when has the U.S. really helped any of you stupid friends of the U.S. like the U.S. dealt with hitting our enemy the Taliban in Afghanistan, like the U.S. dealt with removing our enemy Saddam Hussein in Iraq and like the U.S. has been dealing with our enemy ISIS in Iraq and Syria. So long suckers the U.S. will not help you at all. This we call a miracle where our worst enemy does the dirty work of destroying our other worse enemies for us.

    • Jun 24, 2018 @ 15:29 at 15:29
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      Iranian- Israel and America have a wonderful symbiotic relationship. I do not worry that America will not help Israel if necessary. Do not gloat. Putin does not want his control of Assad and Syria to be undermined by a confrontation with Israel.

    • Jun 24, 2018 @ 15:34 at 15:34
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      interesting but emotional. a pipe dream
      1. Israel is an atomic power. Iran is not.

      however, i will comment on a discussion I had some years back, but not to many, with an Iranian friend of mine, now living not in Canada.
      he made many trips to Iran over the years and told me laughingly” dont even think the Iranian army can fight an army like Israel”. they would get pummeled. no air force to begin with.
      this brought me to thinking if the Iranians continue to flow into Syria and Iraq, and have to fight Israel, they will be slaughtered. Russia will never intervene knowing as they do, Trump does not fool around . he will send it american planes and there Russia has little chance fighting the USA and Israel in the air.

      lose the air battle,and you are toast.
      think about that.

      ps. i would worry more about the Iran Rial and how that is effecting your pocket as it continues to sink. as for the Israeli shekel, look how its doing in comparison. thus ends your argument about money.

      • Jun 24, 2018 @ 18:36 at 18:36
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        While Iran may benefit from some of the chess pieces we have taken off the board, overall the boot is on the ayatollahs collective neck as the economy drags further down. As previous poster says, air power is still the deciding factor and we own the clear advantage there. Russia will not back Iran in an air-superiority contest as the weakness of their front line fighters would be exposed and change the sales outlook drastically.

        I hope they do try to fight us in the sky thou, there are many F-22 pilots ITCHING for combat kills !!

    • Jun 25, 2018 @ 4:44 at 4:44
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      Ali – a hopelessly brain-washed Iranian moron (also was Iapaid a few worthless rials for his verbal diarrhea…)

    • Jun 25, 2018 @ 8:11 at 8:11
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      I still see it as another Tit for Tat just like when Israel struck the Iranians as they ran back into Iraq. Iran is Servant to Buying Russian Air Protection. Syria will come to an end and form a Mutual Government with Assad and his Opposition sooner or later with America and Russian Blessings, Engineering, and Agreement. Once that happens, Iran will still be on its own and alone with just Proxies Fighters requiring Iranian Funding, Money being taken from the Persian People and given to Terrorists that will not settle for Peace so they will bring about their own Demise. The True Cowards are Iranian Ayatollahs, Mullahs and Clerics that think a Theocracy in this Modern Day World is somehow Superior when all it does is make Persia Weaker and Big Talkers are never True Leaders. Iran will be changed and the Middle East can be One and Win by being Together.

    • Jun 25, 2018 @ 11:36 at 11:36
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      (1): ” The Russians in Syria are currently in Iran’s pocket because Iran is paying for them and their arms billions in order to be in Syria. ”

      (2): ” Since when has the U.S. really helped any of you stupid friends of the U.S. like the U.S. dealt with hitting our enemy the Taliban in Afghanistan, like the U.S. dealt with removing our enemy Saddam Hussein in Iraq and like the U.S. has been dealing with our enemy ISIS in Iraq and Syria. So long suckers the U.S. will not help you at all. This we call a miracle where our worst enemy does the dirty work of destroying our other worse enemies for us.”

      @Ali,

      Assuming you really are an Iranian, here are some responses to 2 items in your post:

      (1): Thank you Obama. I just knew that middle name of yours was there for a reason but liberals just were not smart enough to know better when they voted for you.

      (2): There’s an old saying: “it’s not over until the fat lady gets up and sings”————–and guess what, Mr. Ali (maybe) from Iran, her part may be approaching sooner than you think.

  • Jun 24, 2018 @ 14:04 at 14:04
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    T he russkie putin day is coming & his army ezek 38&9, trump is a fool to trust him our hes afraid off him

  • Jun 24, 2018 @ 14:06 at 14:06
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    V. Putin’s military are sinking in the Syrian quagmire – Another “Afghanistan”-style disaster is emerging for Russia, if they do not change their course, quickly: and Putin is well aware of this !

    • Jun 24, 2018 @ 14:35 at 14:35
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      Only if the rebels were given MANPADS like in Afghanistan.

      • Jun 24, 2018 @ 15:38 at 15:38
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        Abu
        Clearly, Manpads is the least USA and MBS must do.
        But I would not count on the West using strategic foresight
        Another wasted opportunity like creating the Kurdish State

        • Jun 24, 2018 @ 18:38 at 18:38
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          Our support for a Kurdish state went up against the wishes of NATO ally Turkey. If Erdogan grabs power and is booted from NATO this option becomes alot more possible.

    • Jun 24, 2018 @ 16:58 at 16:58
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      I dint know about you but to me this looks very different than Afghanistan?#1. The Russian forces their have a clear purpose #2 The Russian forces believe in what they are fighting for 3# Thank god the Russians at least their is a adult in the room who is intelligent and rational can you imagine the fate of the common people of Syria if the where absent?

      • Jun 24, 2018 @ 17:22 at 17:22
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        The main difference is that this time the Russians have the hearts and minds of the people (most Syrians are pro-Russian, and I know this because I have been there and talked to them), whereas in Afghanistan none of the people liked the Russians or wanted them there.

  • Jun 24, 2018 @ 15:37 at 15:37
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    Garbage leftist article to say U.S said something yet your dumbass could not confirm. Nothing but fake news.

  • Jun 24, 2018 @ 16:49 at 16:49
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    Ezekiel 38 coming up fast

  • Jun 24, 2018 @ 16:50 at 16:50
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    Acceptance of the Syrian Army on the boarder with Syria?

    • Jun 25, 2018 @ 11:47 at 11:47
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      “Acceptance of the Syrian Army on the boarder with Syria?”

      @cj2317,

      Acceptance of Iranian, Hezbollah and Shiite mercenary forces on Syria’s border with Israel?

  • Jun 24, 2018 @ 17:24 at 17:24
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    It is a Truism that trusting in the support of the US is a sure way to face destruction, as the US never seems to actually follow through on it’s commitments. If the US says “We will be there for you” then watch your back, as you are on your own.

  • Jun 24, 2018 @ 17:43 at 17:43
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    The SSA advance into Daraa Province looks to have two goals:
    1. To gain control of the province
    2. To set up the infrastructures for the invasion of Israel
    The Syrian army is exhausted. This advance must be backed by Russian mercenaries. The use of Russian warplanes sets the real challenge that Israel will face. Will Israel allow Russia to help set up the forces that will ultimately invade Israel?

  • Jun 24, 2018 @ 19:19 at 19:19
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    The Syrian army should use the people fleeing the bombardment of Syrian army as human bombs against the IDF and punish them for their cowardice.

    • Jun 25, 2018 @ 11:58 at 11:58
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      “The Syrian army should use the people fleeing the bombardment of Syrian army as human bombs against the IDF and punish them for their cowardice.”

      @ Suleiman Haq,

      You want the Syrian army to do to the Syrians what Hamas does to the Palestinians?
      Wait———–the Syrian army has been dropping barrel bombs on their own civilians so, from your perspective, that sounds like it would not be too far off from becoming a reality!
      Now, the only additional thing still missing from this would be the UN General Assembly and the UN Human Rights Organization condemning Israel for “making those human bombs explode” !

  • Jun 24, 2018 @ 19:36 at 19:36
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    I hope that the Kurds are paying close attention to this.

  • Jun 24, 2018 @ 19:50 at 19:50
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    Dont let refugees into Israel.
    They try to fight with refugees as they did successfully with the EU.
    The EU is filled with mudslimes who are just waiting for the code word
    to gather into cells and to strike.

    One does not want this in Israel.
    Trouble in Juda and Shomron is more then enough.

  • Jun 24, 2018 @ 20:22 at 20:22
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    Looks like an Never Ending Game of Chess with Check more than Checkmate. In all Civil Wars, someone must Win and someone will Lose, but it then goes done to how the Victory leads to a Future Peace in Syria under Assad. Russia is playing its moves as much as Israel and the Arab Coalition with America. Russia does not want to become more involved as it is and America won’t become involved any further either. A Trump-Putin Summit could resolve the issues pending with Bibi Advice with Assad Consent, but the Civil War will be decided looking towards Assad Survival and that is all Assad Wants right now.

  • Jun 24, 2018 @ 22:34 at 22:34
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    They Iranians are not advancing on the U.S. border. Israel needs do what’s necessary for its security, see how Putin response to the destruction of Iran and Hezbollah in Syria, not how Trump reacts their war with the rebels.

  • Jun 25, 2018 @ 0:15 at 0:15
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    Did you Muslims think USA and Russia will fight a war because of you?Hahaha….

  • Jun 25, 2018 @ 3:09 at 3:09
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    Need arm the rebels with capable man-portable air-defense systems, e.g., FIM-92 Stinger, Starstreak, Grom, Chiron, Mistral.

  • Jun 25, 2018 @ 4:29 at 4:29
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    What did Russia ever do for Serbia when NATO attacked Serbia? Nothing. Now Russia is doing everything for the big criminal Assad and his criminal regime in Syria. What did Russia do when the terrorist Albanian Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) was attacking Serbs and Serbia and destroying many old churches? Nothing. Now Russia is helping Assad and his regime along with the terrorist Iranians and Hezbollah. God help Serbia, Ukraine, Poland, etc.

  • Jun 25, 2018 @ 5:08 at 5:08
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    The Empire strikes back

  • Jun 25, 2018 @ 8:36 at 8:36
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    Only a matter of time before the USA. slams down the queen. At this point you’ll be hearing the old mighty CHECKMATE!! B1^c[-] $.

  • Jun 25, 2018 @ 8:37 at 8:37
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    Israel has nothing to fear. NEVER underestimate the strategy of the US under Trump. He does not need any permission/approval from Putin or his so called EU ‘allies’. Bigger plans are ahead in the near future. Forget Syria, I would not be surprised if he takes the fight directly to the Iranian mainland.

    • Jun 25, 2018 @ 8:51 at 8:51
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      There in lies My check mate !

    • Jun 25, 2018 @ 19:10 at 19:10
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      Mike,
      You have been drinking a bit too much of the koolaide

  • Jun 25, 2018 @ 12:04 at 12:04
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    The soviets will not the area.They are too strong.Americans do not how the manage crisis.Typical american.

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